AYV News, April 9, 2025
In a solemn and symbolic ceremony held at the OAFLAD Secretariat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Her Excellency Dr.Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, was officially inaugurated as the President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). She will serve alongside Her Excellency Mrs. Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of Angola, who assumes the role of Vice President.
The Executive Secretary, Dr. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, and her team warmly welcomed the new leadership. The ceremony included a tour of the Secretariat and introductions to the dedicated staff who continue to drive OAFLAD’s mission across the continent.
In her detailed briefing, Dr. Nardos reflected on OAFLAD’s journey since its establishment in 2002, highlighting its governance structure, membership growth, strategic goals, and evolving partnerships. She also addressed the organisation’s key achievements and persistent challenges, including the ongoing constitutional review and the implementation of the Strategic Framework 2025–2030. A financial overview was presented, reinforcing OAFLAD’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
In her inaugural address, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm reception and comprehensive orientation. She emphasised the irony of advocating for women’s empowerment and equal rights in the absence of peace, stability, and security. Under her leadership, OAFLAD will strategically focus on today’s most pressing global challenges—climate change, peacebuilding, and human security—recognising them as essential pillars for sustainable development and gender equity.
With a clear vision and strong resolve, Her Excellency pledged to drive a bold and transformative agenda that not only builds on the legacy of #WeAreEqual but also redefines it in the context of today’s urgent humanitarian realities.
Echoing these sentiments, Vice President Her Excellency Mrs. Ana Dias Lourenço expressed appreciation to the Secretariat and reaffirmed her commitment to working collaboratively to improve the lives of women and children throughout the African continent.
